Middle School Lesson Plan

Thanks to the teachers at The Hamlin School in San Francisco for sharing this lesson.  Teacher Alison Trujillo explains:

"Our students were able to learn about a real life experience that girls their age had. They really saw clearly the connection between learning about history and being empowered in their own life as young women.  Their reaction to the film was very positive.  I think they felt they could relate."

"SENECA FALLS" Lesson Plan

7^th and 8^th Grade Activities

(Full day, Multi-class program)

RELEVANT SUBJECT AREAS:

History, Media Literacy, Digital Arts, Speech, Project-based Learning, Current Affairs, Sociology of Equality, Civil Rights, Health and Wellness (empowerment)

“Knowing your history gives you courage.”

Morning Activity:  Background  

5 min.: Enter, take attendance.

15 min.: Read in small groups: “Equal Rights for Women", originally presented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm in 1969.  When a group has finished reading they can go ahead and pick:  What five things do you think are the most important about women’s rights in the 1800's?  What would you teach to Suzie Q.?  When everyone is finished reading, whole group share.

10 min.: Students break into small groups to study a portion of the Declaration of Sentiments. Each group is responsible for clearly explaining and acting out a section of the Declaration.

15 min.: Presentations, further discussion.

If time left over, we can pose the question, “If we held a modern-day Seneca Falls Convention, what would we be talking about?”

Film Screening: Seneca Falls (1 hour)

Afternoon Activity: In mixed groups

Students will be divided into six groups, with ~15 students in six locations.

Topics:  

1.     international suffrage    

2.     domestic violence

3.     women in government and business  

4.     trafficking of women/girls  

5.     literacy  

6.     reproductive choices  

1:15-2:45            Research an issue and create a public service announcement. Here are downloadable instructions for students:

STUDENT_INSTRUCTIONS_PSA.pdf

There can be two-three computers per small group. Everyone must share a computer with at least one other person.

Read instruction sheet.

1.     Define the topic. (10 minutes)

2.     Research the issues. (20 minutes)

3.     Create a public service announcement. (until 2:30)

4.     Present the public service announcements. (2:30-3:05)

2:30-2:45

Half of the students or one or two of the small groups will stay in their room to present. The others will move clockwise. Teacher will announce when groups should move.

2:50-3:05

Switch presenters/viewers. Move counterclockwise.

3:05-3:15

Return to original rooms to clean up and share findings from other groups.

Note:  This curriculum was adapted from a lesson plan taught at The Hamlin School, an all girls school in San Francisco, in conjunction with a screening set up by the San Francisco Film Society's Youth Education Program.  Thanks to the Hamlin faculty and staff for sharing this lesson plan with us.